|
The Ancient Olympics: War Minus the Shooting
|
| List Price: | £7.99 |
| Price: | £7.19 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details |
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk
Product Description
The word 'athletics' is derived from the Greek verb 'to struggle for a prize'. After reading this book, no one will see the Olympics as a graceful display of Greek beauty again, but as war by other means. Nigel Spivey paints a portrait of the Greek Olympics as they really were - fierce contests between bitter rivals, in which victors won kudos and rewards, and losers faced scorn and even assault. Victory was almost worth dying for, and a number of athletes did just that. Many more resorted to cheating and bribery. Contested always bitterly and often bloodily, the ancient Olympics were not an idealistic celebration of unity, but a clash of military powers in an arena not far removed from the battlefield
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #574424 in Books
- Published on: 2005-06-30
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 298 pages
Editorial Reviews
The Guardian, August 14, 2004
All this information is conveyed with an admirable calmness, clarity and vigour - a feat of scholarly athleticism.
The Guardian, Saturday 23 July 2005
A scholarly yet accessible text; history and myth intertwining.
Guardian Review, August 14, 2004
A feat of scholarly athleticism. This book does a great job of clearing the Olympic stables of their accumlated muck.
